WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to step down at the end of President Bush's current term in 2005, Time magazine reported on Monday.

The magazine quoted sources close to Powell as saying that he has a firm plan for an exit after serving out the entire term.

"He will have done a yeoman's job of contributing over the four years," a close aide was quoted as saying. "but that's enough."

The aide stressed that Powell was determined to serve out the entire term, even if the United States launches an invasion of Iraq, which Powell has fought to delay or derail.

If Bush wins a second term, only the imminence of a major diplomatic victory -- in the Middle East, for example -- could induce Powell to stay on the job a short while longer, the magazine said.

In an interview with BBC television scheduled for broadcast on Sept. 8, Powell struck a moderate tone in the debate over whether to invade Iraq, insisting that the return of weapons inspectors to Baghdad was a priority.

Until an excerpt from the interview was released on Sunday, Powell had been a silent voice in the public debate. A senior State Deportment official said on Friday the secretary, seen as the leading dove in an administration dominated by hawks, was keeping his powder dry until Bush decides how he intends to convert his policy of "regime change" into a plan of action.


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hmmm...this could be the start of something terrible for ole Double-U.

Who's Colin Powell? Is he a member of the NPG?

I'm confused

Colin Powell is very unsatisfied working in the Bush Administration.I heard that his more moderate views often clash with the more conservative members of Bush's cabinet.And it's obvious that Bush and Cheney aren't really listening to any advice he gives them,in regards to the war with Iraq (which Powell does not fully support).

DavidEye said:

You Nailed it Man.I still Remember Him Being Booed at the Republican Convention in San Diego back in 1996 for sharing His Moderate Views.mind you this was a Year after His Book was the "IN" thing to have?Powell knows His stuff they would be Dumb to Ignore Him but then again this is Bush&Cheney we are talking about?

I've always admired Colin Powell despite the fact that he worked 4 the Bushes...

I can't wait 2 dump Dumbya.

I'm amazed powell lasted this long.I was doubting him,but know i have a renewed respect for him.

If he is a man of principles he should step down NOW and not be party to unjust foreign policies.

He has already been played several times...

On the issue of North Korea/South Korea, China, Israel/Palestine, Iraq... in all cases he made statements of diplomacy and Bush and his war hawks contradicted him in public.

He should leave and let Bush, Condoleeza the skeezer, Donald Dumbsfeld, and Dick handle foreign relations. No one in the world respects any of them as much as they do Powell. The longer he stays in, the more he'll be used as the waterboy to clean up after massa bush's mess.

Also, Bush's right hand woman is leaving the adminstration in the next 5 months.
Whats that saying about rats jumping ship cause they r smart enough to know when the ship is going down..??



Bush is gonna ruin the US...

If only Bush would leave the Bush administration we would all be happy!

bkw said:

I happen to love George W. Bush!

BattierBeMyDaddy said:

Jeepers

BattierBeMyDaddy said:

theC
That's why you are too young to vote

bkw said:

Alex called. He wants you to return his boxers?

NuPwrSoul said:

Exactamundo. Because it's really not like he's stepping down; he'll be there for the duration of this current administration.


Exactamundo again!

BattierBeMyDaddy said:

care to expand on that? without any references to his handling of Sept 11..



can you name any policy changes he has made that has bettered our nation?

NuPwrSoul said:

Amen, NPS.

I wonder what Bush and his good ol' boys really say about Powell behind closed doors. Smartest man in the room and his opinion counts for shit.

Frankly, I wish he'd stay just to be a bug up their ass.

NO to war with Iraq. God help us if we do this.

NuPwrSoul said:

I disagree. His presence in this administration highlights the increased factionalism of the Bush cabal. I don't think most people view him as party to it. Quite the contrary.

I think Powell is seen as his own man; true, without much influence and input in this administration, but at least as an individual (not a loose-cannon either). And he is the only one to put any kind of a brake (albeit ineffectually) on the policies of the present administration.

Throughout his career, he has had support from both parties and he can't be accused of not being a patriot (which is what those pretenders in the white house do to everyone who voices a reasonable objection to anything. Look what they did to Tom Daschle.)

For him to leave would indeed be a powerful statement, but at the same it would be a weird kind of martyrdom that would strike me as uncharacteristic and counterproductive. He has always seemed to enjoy working within systems that he wasn't in bed with ideologically. He was in the Clinton administration after all. Working within an unpleasant, even dangerous environment can itself be a sign of principle.



But he doesn't get riled by it. He's a savvy diplomat who other governments take seriously. If we lost that we would probably have Richard Boucher or Paul Wolfowitz as the spokesman of America. Yikes!



Yeah, and Rumsfield compared Bush to Winston Churchil the other day. These guys shouldn't be impeached, they should be given pacifiers and sent to retirement homes where they can relive WWII in the safety of their own memories! They increasingly make Powell look like the level-headed guy he is. Why sacrifice that?



Maybe he'll come out of this as the one sane go-to guy. He was very reluctant to work for "massa," (not a word I think he would use himself). He knew what he was getting into, but maybe he saw the need for a voice of moderation. He is very patient.

Now with Musharaff, Chirac, Mandela, and a seemingly endless parade of both domestic (including Republican) and foreign politicians warning against action against Iraq, it looks like Powell has sensed the change in climate and is finally speaking out about what he has long felt. This may signal an important shift. Iraq just today went back to allowing weapons inspectors in, after denying them just the day before.

Two weeks ago, I would have said an attack against Iraq was a foregone conclusion. Now I think it may not be. It would be a disaster, especially since Bush seems to be justifying it through White House legal counsel. This would complete the legal coup that brought Bush to the presidency to begin with. (I wonder if Bush's ascension to the White House was techincally and legally a coup? Any government lawyers out there?)

And it is usually the Republicans who complain about how this country is being overrun by lawyers...

Actually, Powell's words to the BBC sounded vaguely threatening. Did anyone else get that? That sounds like he's setting terms and doing so in a way that recognizes his own value to Bush. If he did resign that would be a deathblow to the Bush administration; unfortunately, though, it might also be a guarantee of war with Iraq. That's a bold, risky move on his part.

He plays this diplomatic game very well.





Don't think of this as an edit, think of it as a typographical regime change...
[This message was edited Mon Sep 2 22:21:36 PDT 2002 by 2the9s]

2the9s said:

Powell was in the Clinton administration? He was in Bush Sr.'s.

Wolf said:

He stayed on as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I think at Clinton's request.

2the9s said:

I hear ya 2 the 9s but I'm so tired of the charade, a good walkout would pull the sheep's clothing off the wolves. It would be one of the best votes of no-confidence that could really establish a better balance of power in Congress and governors' mansions this election season and leave Bush et al to bumble the rest of their term to ensure that his is a one-term presidency like his daddy.
[This message was edited Mon Sep 2 22:43:43 PDT 2002 by NuPwrSoul]

NuPwrSoul said:

it would also kill Powells political career...he will never do it. Besides, something tells me that Powell realizes he can save lives by staying in his position...Something Bush doesnt seem to care about.

See that's why I can't be a politician. Boldness is not rewarded. Nor is truth and principled action (not saying that's what yall are advocating).

But I am always suspicious of the argument that "we can do more from this position inside" when in fact the position cripples you. Powell is muted for the most part. Did you see his press conference after he came back from Israel & Palestine? He wanted so badly to speak his mind you could see the frustration all over his face. But he had to tow the party line.

How long does that go on before you start using your position to really make a difference? How far inside must you go before you turn it to advantage what you think is right? When does one turn around?

A lot of cats I know make this "I'll give back once I'm established... blah blah blah" but they don't realize that in order to GET ESTABLISHED they have to compromise so much of themselves that by the time they get *there* (whereever *there* is) they have little or nothing left to give. It's not impossible, mind you, but it's seems less likely as time goes on.

.
[This message was edited Tue Sep 3 0:08:49 PDT 2002 by NuPwrSoul]

Powell, in my opinion, isn't really concerned about his political career. He has never actively pursued political position after the whole joint chiefs things and has repeatedly said he'd rather be home with his wife and family who he didn't get to see so much before now. I think he'll stay now out of obligation UNLESS W. does something so damn stupid he just can't take it.

emale319 said:

thats an interesting way to look at it...i still think he wants to leave the option over for future political activity..after all, his decision *not* to run for president had nothing to do with his desire to be president but rather his concerns over the media scrutiny of his and his family members life...

but, something tells me...if enough people show a desire for him to run..and they demand the media to get serious about elections rather then sensationalize them...he might do it..

NuPwrSoul said:

Baby, you would be a great politician. You would give this society a boost of morality, which is most desparately needed.

SummerRain said:

I'd vote for him, based on what I've read so far.

Summer & Herb aww you guys...

I would vote Powell for president if newpowersoul will be his running mate!

But concerning what Powell is doing now, I would not believe this report to be entirely true, because first they are no more than hear says, tho' from sources close to them, but no personal statements from Powell himself. Further if he leaves, it is said that he leaves at the end of this administration's term. That wouldn't and isn't sending out any political message that he can't co-operate well with Bush and co.

I think what he should do is this: let the rumours take over in the (inter) national press (he is already on the right way with this) and meanwhile pressure the administration from the inside, from Congress and from other governments to go along with his ideas and plans. in other words grant him more freedom and power, as the secretary of state, in handling (and expressing himself about) international affairs. If Bush and Cheney don't like that and keep on shutting him up he should enforce a crisis within the administration by going full force, in public, against their policies so that ultimately this whole administration of oil executives will drop like a BOMB.

Not a lonesome retreat while Bush and co keep getting their way and not a useless resignation after 4 years. Powell should use his powers.

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[This message was edited Wed Sep 4 7:48:10 PDT 2002 by Abrazo]

It's so sad seeing him take the brunt of the World's frustrations over America's current regime at The Earth Summit. No wonder Bush didn't want to show.

Colin is so obviously the moderate end of his party's spectrum and will no doubt leave as his voice isn't heard.